The vessels will sail routes not previously offered by the over-50s specialist

Saga is to add four new ships in an expansion of its river cruise business to capitalise on the growing popularity of the sector. The move is part of a wider strategic growth plan by the group and will enable Saga to deliver its luxury boutique cruising experience across both oceans and rivers.

The four new ships will join Saga’s two existing river ships and be operated as part of the wider cruise business under chief executive Nigel Blanks.

Saga’s two river cruise ships, Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danube, were jointly named in a ceremony in Arnhem last month.

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The four new ships will be called Spirit of the Moselle, Spirit of the Main, Spirit of the Elbe and Spirit of the Rhône, and will operate across each river.

The first is due to enter service in May 2023 with the others following each year thereafter.

Blanks said: “We are so excited about the opportunity to expand our fleet of river ships to keep up with the ever-growing demand for luxury boutique river cruising. It builds on the success of Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danube.

“These new ships will enable us to offer an even greater range of boutique experiences to guests looking to travel on waterways throughout Europe.”